1A: The device feels high-quality workmanship and is made of solid aluminum. For the price of 420 EURO absolute top class. All very very valuable.
The sound:
1A: Great sound with sufficient reserves and good bass. Despite very clearly differentiated in the mids and highs.
The drawback:
In USB mode, it always comes back after short intervals in a distorted noise and crackle. This can be fixed only if you change the source and briefly plays no music. This is an absolute no-go and thus the death sentence for the device. Fail. Put six.
The test environment:
I first ordered the variant in black. By following problem I contacted the TEAC customer service (see Addendum).
Good, I thought, "Maybe a mounting production". So return and this time in silver ordered (but looks a lot better!). However, the same problem:
In operation on an ASUS notebook as well as on a desktop PC (also ASUS Borad) always the same phenomenon: noise and total distortion. I was afraid for my speakers (KEF LS50 and DALI ZENSOR 3). Change the speaker cables and the use of various USB cables brought no remedy.
the comparison:
At NAD 3020d the connection via USB works perfectly (incidentally without driver installation). When TEAC but a driver must be installed so that it is recognized as a USB audio / sound card. Well, downloaded from the homepage (not included), installed. Done. No Problem.
The conclusion:
As much as I the TEAC as a second or first system (!) Would be used, was decisive for me that an operation is ensured as a standard sound card via USB. This is unfortunately not the case. There seems to be a serial fault. By the way: The sound on the normal audio output of your notebook is much worse ...
Processing, feel and quality are far above the NAD 3020d and the DSD support attracted me to be prepared for the future. I tested ultimately only operation via USB, because decisive for me. Via the analog input there were not the problems described. But what good is it if all interfaces function, only USB is not ??
The remote fits comfortably in your hand and is also more practical than that of NAD 3020d. Even the TEAC is not as fast to standby. Here you can even set times.
The request, from TEAC available DSD player can be started directly and not even have to be installeirt. Unfortunately, it is very very simple and far from popular freeware players. However, it does not look even better with Sony. The technology, including software is still in its infancy.
Too bad, too bad, and once again a pity! Without the USB problem of TEAC have full 5 star deserves for what is offered at this price !!!
POSTSCRIPT: After some time I got support now answer from TEAC. Having the problem could be to have first connected the device and then install the TEAC ASIO drivers (Lösungsvoschlag: Uninstall driver and scratch file from hard drive to install and then TEAC connect.). At least with my desktop PC, I'm sure to have complied with the order. Another option is a "Clock" problem. The TEAC but would use an internal clock source usually. A proposed solution to does not exist.
